You will also need an assortment of grooming tools such as a sweat scraper, body brush, curry comb, mane comb, and chamois leather or towels. [2] X Research source You will also need access to a water source, obviously, as well as a step stool if your horse is too tall for you to reach its back.
A quick-release knot (or safety knot) is the best option because a panicked horse can injure itself or damage the barn/fence to which you’ve tied the animal. [3] X Research source This type of knot allows you to easily untie the horse with a tug on the knot instead of having to fumble while the horse pulls back on the rope. For instruction on how to tie this type of knot, check out: How to Tie a Quick Release Knot.
A curry comb is a rubber- or plastic-bristled comb that you can use to gently stimulate circulation in the horse’s muscles and skin. The curry comb is usually the first step in grooming, and it loosens dirt and debris from the horse’s coat as well. [6] X Research source A dandy brush is a stiff-bristled brush made from synthetic fibers or coarse animal hair. The brush is good for removing the layers of dirt and hair lifted by the curry comb. The brush is also good for removing mud from the horse’s legs and hoof walls. [7] X Research source
Never stand directly behind the horse. When combing or washing the tail, stand beside the horse’s rump and reach around to the tail. This way if the horse kicks with a back leg you are out of harm’s way.
Never use shampoo on the horse’s face, just plain water. If the face is very dirty, refresh your bucket of with clean water as many times as is necessary until the rinse water comes away clean.
Not all horses are happy to be hosed down. Start with their hooves and slowly direct the water up the legs before wetting the body. This gives the horse time to understand what you intend to do. Don’t squirt the horse with a high-velocity water jet, which is bound to upset the animal.
Washing the sheath and penis of a male horse requires gentle sponging and rinsing of the area. You should also check the horse’s penis for potential abnormalities. You can find more information about the washing and examination process at: How to Clean the Sheath of a Horse For the anus, simply dampen the cloth with water and wipe. Use a fresh area of the cloth when the first area becomes soiled. Keep gently wiping until the cloth comes away clean. Never stand directly behind the horse to wash the anus. Always stand to one side.
Shampoo is not always necessary. Be cautious about shampooing too frequently since it may strip the horse’s coat of valuable oils that help to waterproof the coat in bad weather. If the horse is a show animal and needs shampooing more than once a month, then you might need to think about stabling the animal as their natural ability to cope in bad weather is undermined.
One option is to use a sweat scraper and to move it in the same direction as the hair. This squeezes the excess water from the coat. If you don’t have a sweat scraper, you can use the edge of your hand to “squeegee” the water away. Alternatively, use several clean dry towels to wipe the entire horse over and dry it off. When you are satisfied the horse is as dry as possible, walk it for ten minutes or so in the sun. If it’s clouded over, put an anti-sweat sheet or cooler blanket on the horse.
Swish the tail in the bucket, squeezing the dirt out. You can clean the top of the tail using a sponge dipped in warm water mixed with shampoo. Rinse the tail off in several buckets of clean water. Dip the sponge into clean water and clean the top of the tail. Dry off the tail with a towel. Let the horse graze in a sunny place to let the tail dry off. Again, never stand directly behind the horse. Stand beside the horse’s rump and reach back with the bucket to avoid any potential kicking.
